I use 81gn Reloader 17 behind the 160gn Barnes TTSX in my 338 Win Mag. It is a good powder. I get 3390fps, slightly better than MOA accuracy, and it is a devastating bullet for medium game. However, by the time I can get my hands on some 350gn TTSX bullets, some more reloader 17 (I only have a little left), and work up some loads, it will probably be a couple of months down the track. So I will start another thread just to let you know how it works out.

Got some more data on my 416 RUM to share. Tanzan you might be interested.

350 gr TTSX Superformance Powder
100 grs. - 2785 fps
101 grs. - 2790 fps
102 grs. - 2803 fps Extremely Accurate!!
103 grs. - 2828 fps Extremely Accurate!!
104 grs. - 2842 fps
105 grs. - 2850 fps Maximum (just barely detectable ejector port impression mark)

350 gr TTSX Re 17
94 grs. - 2723 fps
97 grs. - 2824 fps Maximum (just barely detectable ejector port impression mark)

400 gr TSX Ramshot Huner
96 grs. - 2570 fps
97 grs. - 2594 fps
98 grs. - 2610 fps
99 grs. - 2611 fps Very accurate
100 grs. - 2625 fps Very accurate
101 grs. - 2635 fps
102 grs. - 2661 fps (just barely detectable ejector port impression mark)

450 gr Woodleigh RN SN Norma MRP
82 grs. - 1987 fps
86 grs. - 2065 fps
90 grs. - 2172 fps
92 grs. - 2207 fps 94 grs. - 2260 fps
96 grs. - 2305 fps
98 grs. - 2348 fps
100 grs. - 2397 fps
102 grs. - 2453 fps
104 grs. - 2498 fps Very accurate
106 grs. - 2526 fps No pressure signs yet - 6375 ft# KE

I'm getting better performance from Ramshot Hunter and Superformance than Re17, thus far. I think Norma N204 would also work well for this caliber.

Regards, AIU

Ackley IU

That's some nice shooting and nicely presented information.

For Africa I would assume that you're thinking that Superformance should be loaded at about 102 grains in your RUM? Your figures are interesting and pleasantly surprising. When I was testing our Rigbys in the US a few years ago I couldn't stuff enough AA3100 (broadly like R19/IMR4831/H4831) into the case to get beyond 2700fps with 350grain TSX bullets. The loads were heavily compressed at 106 grain, 2700fps, and couldn't be seated deep enough for a final band crimp.

The R17 data is too thin to decide on, but I'd check out 96grain. It looks like your rifle is set to handle about 2800fps with the 350grain bullets. However, that report of an ejector mark would worry me. Have you duplicated it?

Your 400 grain and 450 loads look like they will want about 2620fps and 2500fps, respectively. Nice looking loads.
I don't use lead bullets anymore, but for 416Rigby the loads would probably all want an extra 3-5 grains of powder. Performance would be about equal, since hypothetical gains of 25fps disappear in margins of error and variations of rifles.

Anyway, it looks like you've taken your rifle to its design limits. Good job.

A final word, unnecessary, of course, except for liability: I would stay away from any load showing an ejector mark. When a rifle heats up those loads are liable to stick in the chamber. They may be clocking over 70000 psi.

Tanzan,

I second your comments. I was thinking 100 grs. of Ramshot Hunter for the 400 TSX at 2625 fps and 102 to 103 grs. of Superformance for the 350 gr. TTSX at 2800 to 2825 fps. I'm planning on trying some Ramshot Hunter, Re19, and N204 with the 350 gr TTSX before I decide. Re17 is a bit fast for this bullet in my gun, but it may be ideal for banded solids, even the 400 grainer. I find that the Barnes banded solid like faster powders.

The ejector port impression mark is not enough to create a bright spot on the case head, you need a magnifying glass to see it. But, when it happens, I stop and back-off a bit. Primer pockets are still firm and the bolt is still not sticky, even with the mark. The R700 bolt face is good in this regard for assessing early limiting pressure signs.

The purpose of the 450 WL SN RN is for shooting a buffalo in a crowd of buffalo; this bullet will open up and not likely shoot through the buffalo. The monolithic solids will shoot end-to-end through a buffalo, especially at the velocities we're loading.

Do you know of any good 450 gr. 416 bullets besides the WL? I think the Norma MRP + 450 gr bullets may be a match made in heaven for this gun and the Rigby.

Regards AIU

quote:

Originally posted by 416 Tanzan [quote]I would stay away from any load showing an ejector mark. When a rifle heats up those loads are liable to stick in the chamber. They may be clocking over 70000 psi.

I agree. In my 338 Win Mag, using Norma brass, ejector slot marks usually accompany case head expansion of 0.0008" and above, and that is too much for decent case life. Also occasional stiff bolt lift occurred when ejector marks appeared, and that can slow down your second shot, which is very undesirable. Obviously that will get worse if loads developed at moderate temperatures are used in hot temperatures. I usually consider loads to be maximum when case head expansion reaches 0.0004" , and prefer 0.0002" (which is the limit of my ability to accurately measure case head expansion), and typically the 0.0004" point is at least 1.0 to 1.5 grains of powder less than the 0.0008" point. (That will obviously be different in the 416 Rigby, with its much larger case). In my opinion there is little to be gained in loading the last grain of powder. I find accuracy usually starts to deteriorate once case head expansion exceeds 0.0004" or therabouts, and some powders give better accuracy at just below maximum.

As far as I am aware the Woodleigh 450gn SNRN and FMJ are the only 450gn bullets in this caliber so far.